The Willowville Elementary School’s tradition of celebrating Memorial Day continued this year with its annual patriotic parade.

Waving American flags amid a colorful sea of red, white, and blue, the more than 500 students at Willowville Elementary honored the men and women of our country who have given their lives for the rest of us to live in freedom on the school grounds May 23.

“This is a very special day for all of us,” said fourth grade student Mitch Worden. “It is our way of thanking the brave and dedicated soldiers who died so we may live.”

This is the 31st year that the school has held the Memorial Day parade.

The students at the Willowville Elementary School have held a Memorial Day parade for the last 31 years.

Principal Laura Nazzarine, in an emotional speech to the hundreds of people who attended, said that this was a day to honor the men and women of our country who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"For 31 years, the Willowville family - including the students, their families, and members of the community - have been sharing our gratitude, respect, and honor for those Americans who have served and sacrificed their lives while defending our nation," the principal said. "Today this parade is for you."

Fourth-grader Dereck Mahlenkamp, who carried the banner in the parade, said that Memorial Day means a chance to honor and remember the men and women who died.

"It really is an honor and a privilege to honor those heroes today," he said. "They died so that we may enjoy this parade every year."

The two-lap parade and ceremony included welcome remarks by Nazzarine, the introduction of veterans in the audience, students reading poems they had written, a first grade skit, a living museum walk-by (in period dress), and the singing of patriotic songs.